RAIN

Chapter seventeen

His light steps were inaudible as he hurried back to Rain who was waiting in the room for him. He closed the door, minding the sounds that he made.

"Your grandfather is coming. He knows where the steps are," he said as he flicked the magazine from the gun and started rustling through his bag for a new one. His hands were shaking as he anticipated looking at that man face to face one more time. He couldn't even imagine what Rain's life must be like with such a monster lurking over him at all times. "We can hide in the closet. I know he'll check here but I can try to hold them off, maybe we can get away."

Rain nodded but he was frozen to the spot where he was standing. The sound of the plywood as it came crashing down made them both jump.

"Well my handiwork wasn't that good, was it?" he said with a chuckle but Rain didn't find it funny enough to respond. "Hey, it's going to be okay. I'm right here," he said as he gave him one last hug and then pulled him into the closet.

The sound of their angry footsteps as they stomped up the steps echoed in the darkness. He squeezed Rain's hands, the smell of dusty clothes suffocating him and he prayed that he didn't sneeze or cough.

"RAIN!" The sound of the old man's voice made Rain's body begin to shake next to him. The fear that Rain felt for this man was so bad that a whimper left his throat. Jet covered his mouth with a hand. Coco was silent next to him, understanding that their lives were at stake. Rain was right, the loyalty of this dog was truly commendable.

"Rain, come on out and we can get this over quickly, I promise you," the aunt said. An anger stung him. These people infuriated him.

"RAIN. I KNOW YOU AND YOUR FRIEND ARE UP HERE. YOUNG MANNAN, MY FIGHT IS NOT WITH YOU. COME OUT AND I WILL TAKE YOU HOME TO YOUR FAMILY."

Jet listened to the sound of slamming doors, the loud clangs of furniture being angrily tossed. His heart pounded with more violence the closer the sounds drew. He touched the cool steel of the gun in the waist of his pants and he steadied his nerves.

"We have to run," he whispered to Rain.

"No."

"Listen, I know you're scared of him and I'm with you. Just hold onto me and run as fast as you can. Out the front door."

"No."

He squeezed Rain's hand. His breath stopped halfway as he heard the door of the room they were occupying, open slowly.

"Rain?" the aunt called. Under the door, the light from her flashlight peered in and he could see the tears in Rain's eyes, see the fear that had paralyzed him and his heart broke with a stunning violence that sent the fear reeling, replaced by a raging anger.

"I'll push her and we'll run," he whispered as softly as he could and Rain shook his head. What did these people do to him? Jet found himself focusing on the scar on Rain's hand, the anger building inside him. He listened to her footsteps as they came closer and he pushed himself off the wall, removing the gun and preparing to use it.

Her footsteps came closer and closer and then the closer door flew open. He steadied his nerves and aimed the gun at her face, partially blinded by the beam of the flashlight. She froze, taking two steps back as she stared at the gun, her mouth opened slightly and her body as stiff as a corpse. Her eyes shifted and she looked into Jet's with a cold and curious stare but as she saw Rain, the coldness turned to fire and they locked eyes. Jet could feel the tension, feel the emotions swirling in the room. She reached into her pocket and he watched as she took out a cellphone which she tossed at Rain.

"They are in the shed next to the river. Get them out of here Rain, do you here me? You caused this with your stubbornness, now fix it," she whispered to him.